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~. OCT. 2 '95 2:04PM DMG,GJCT <br />DIVISION OF MINERAES AND GEOLOGY <br />Department of Natural Nesources <br />(3 t 3 Sherman S[., Room 27 5 <br />Dcns~cr, Cuiorado B020J <br />Phone: (3031 866-3567 <br />fAX: (303) 83217106 <br />DATE: October 2, 1995 <br />TO: Tony Waldron <br />T jI/' <br />FROM: Dan Mathews (/ <br />RE: Hayden Gulch Mine Woody <br />1 303 2410336 P.2 <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />Plant Standard <br />~~~~~~~~ <br />DEPARTMEIVI' OF <br />NATURAI. <br />RESOURCES <br />Roy Romer <br />Cwernor <br />7~mnc S 1 nrhlwA <br />Execwive Di,ecmr <br />Michael 0. Lrn.a <br />Uiviviun U7nc'ror <br />i met with .john Toolen, DOW Northwest Region wildlife biologist <br />this morning to discuss the alternative shrub standard approach <br />proposed by H-G Coal Company (HG), in their August 7, 1995 <br />preliminary proposal addressed to bob Caskey, DOW Northwest <br />Regional Manager. Mr. Toolen recently accompanied Joe Dudash on an <br />inspection of the reclaimed site, and has spoken to you and <br />representatives of TerraMatrix (consultant to HG) regarding DOW's <br />concerns with respect to shrub establishment and wildlife habitat <br />needs at the Hayden Gulch reclaimed area. <br />The wildlife species of primary concern to DOW is the Columbian <br />sharptailed grouse which utilizes the mountain shrub habitat iIl the <br />vicinity of the mine, and is apparently decreasing across its range <br />in northwest Colorado. Due to the rather limited size of the <br />disturbance and the presence of adjacent corer, the site provides <br />desirable seasonal forage for deer and elk in its current <br />condition, and further mitigation would probably not be warranted <br />based on big game habitat needs. In Mr. Toolen's opinion, the <br />establishment of three to four, 1 acre woody habitat islands <br />associated with spring/seep areas within the grass dominated <br />reclamation would enhance the site's value as nesting and brood- <br />rearing habitat for the sharptailed grouse. <br />With respect to the HG proposal, Nr. Toolen felt that the proposed <br />planting locations were probably appropriate, but the size of the <br />proposed planting sites was probably insufficient to provide <br />significant habitat enhancement. Additionally, he felt that more <br />permanent elk proof fencing would need to be provided to ensure <br />that elk would be excluded from the plantings until the shrubs are <br />well established. <br />The conceptual approach we both felt comfortable with would ba the <br />establishment of a minimum of three, one acre shrub enhancement <br />areas, with a 1000 stem/acre standard applicable to each designated <br />